Happy Holidays!

We're spending Christmas here at home in Chicago this year and had fun getting the apartment in the holiday spirit. I hope you have an amazing holiday and eat way too many cookies!

Wish List {part 2}

I keep trying to pick my favorite Marañón necklace and I just can't do it. They are all 100% awesome.

Wish List {part 1}

I'm drooling over this cashmere shawl by A Peace Treaty. Can you hear me, Santa?

2009 Ornament

I decided to make a 2009 holiday ornament this year. I've been playing around with my paper mache process and these ornaments were a great chance to experiment. I've tried ornaments in the past but I couldn't really figure out how to translate my work in the right way. They always turned out feeling a little forced. With these guys I feel like I've stayed true to my design sense. They are clean, simple, and reference the classic ball ornament while also maintaining a sculptural element. The red and white bakers twine adds a more direct holiday reference (and my tiny move away from my die-hard color palate).

These bad boys are now available only in my Etsy shop. Enjoy!

The Window Seat

One of my favorite things about traveling is getting to see a different landscape. On this trip we went by bus from São Paulo to Paraty and my sister gave me the window seat (she had it on the flight over so it was only fair). The 6 hour ride flew by as I enjoyed the bright green rolling hills and watched things get more dramatic as we reached the coast.

Back from Brazil

I can't describe how wonderful my trip to Brazil was. Getting to spend time with my family there was such a gift. I felt connected to my dad through them. Beyond the family time, I got to enjoy cities, colonial towns, beaches, and rain forests. My sister and I packed a lot in 2 1/2 weeks but I already want to go back.

I have some plans for a new series inspired by what I saw. I'm hoping to have it fully formed by the spring. Also, I think I'll be restructuring Up in the Air Somewhere in 2010 in a way that will allow me to break free of my little sweatshop and make more one of a kind pieces. I love how getting away for a while helps give you some perspective on your normal life.

I'm off!

In a few hours I'll be boarding a plane to Sao Paulo, Brazil! My sister and I are visiting my dad's side of the family. It's been five years since I've been there so this trip is long overdue. We'll be going to Sao Paulo, Paraty, and Rio. I plan on doing a lot of sketching and thinking about a new suite of work inspired by the the structures I see in Brazil.

I'll be back November 27th and then head straight up to Milwaukee for my first holiday show, Art vs. Craft, on November 28th. See you then!